North Melbourne are set to sign former Brisbane defender Darragh Joyce as a delisted free agent, adding key-position depth to their backline.
AFL.com.au’s Josh Gabelich reported on Monday that the Irishman will join the Kangaroos, with the paperwork to be completed this week, according to AFL.com.au.
Joyce’s manager, Liam Pickering, backed the move on SEN Sportsday. “Darragh Joyce will find his way to a club – North Melbourne,” Pickering said, SEN reported.
“When you’re in the best 26 of the best team in the comp… I think it’s a great move by North.”
Third AFL club for the Irishman
Joyce was delisted by Brisbane at the end of the season after playing 14 games for the Lions across four years, according to AFL.com.au. He began his AFL career at St Kilda, where he played 13 games after joining the Saints as a category B rookie ahead of the 2017 season, 7NEWS reported.
Read more: AFL Delistings 2026: Every Club’s Delisted Players at List Deadline
North Melbourne will be his third AFL club. The Kangaroos chased defensive depth during the trade period but were unable to land Adelaide’s Nick Murray.
More North Melbourne additions expected
Former Essendon midfielder Elijah Tsatas and ex-Richmond ruckman Samson Ryan are also expected to join North as delisted free agents, according to AFL.com.au. North also added Nick Blakey from Sydney during the trade period as they start a new era under coach Jaymie Graham.
Read more: Elijah Tsatas and Samson Ryan Tipped to Join North Melbourne
Jake Stringer (St Kilda), Wil Parker (Carlton) and Isaac Keeler (Port Adelaide) are among the other delisted players expected to find new homes, AFL.com.au reported. North Melbourne had not announced Joyce’s signing at the time of writing.
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